tvOS

Beta software for the Apple TV has arrived for participants in the Apple Beta Software Program. This is the first time that device owners can try tvOS 16 without being a developer. The latest version brings cross-device connectivity, which is sure to bring new features by integrating Apple TV apps with those on the Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad. With tvOS 16 the Apple TV also gets Matter support, bringing better compatibility with smart home accessories using this standard.

Apple has made the 28th annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) official. The developer conference will return to San Jose, California from June 5-9 this summer. The previous 13 years have seen WWDC take place in San Francisco, welcoming thousands of developers and engineers. The 2017 event is scheduled for the McEnery Convention Center, and is expected to showcase updates to iOS and macOS.

Developers can now offer app bundles up to 4 GB in size for Apple TV owners. Until Apple announced the change on its developer site, initial app downloads were limited to 200 MB. The change in policy means tvOS app binaries are now covered under the same 4 GB limit allowed for iOS apps. So what will this really mean to Apple TV fans who use the App Store?

By default, the fourth-generation Apple TV automatically installs updates to tvOS and any installed apps. Shortly after Apple releases a system update or an app developer's changes are approved by the App Store, the new versions roll out. Some users aren't a fan of this feature, as it can bring unwelcome changes to familiar apps. Others like to see if a firmware update is reported to cause any problems before they install it on their device. Here's where switching to manual updates on the Apple TV comes into play.

While most of the buzz surrounding Apple's media event this week circled around the new MacBook and its Touch Bar, there were some other very interesting tidbits that surfaced. One major development for Apple TV owners is the announcement of a new app: TV. Apple claims this app will "completely change" how you watch TV with your Apple devices. Apple seeks to do nothing less than completely integrate all digital content sources in one place, vastly simplifying the process of watching your content.